Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Subaru Impreza
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
From $48,900
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
100kW
5.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
370L
Subaru Impreza
From $33,490
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol I4 Boxer
115kW
7.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
291L
Track the Mercedes-Benz A-Class & Subaru Impreza
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class starts from $48,900 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Impreza opens at $33,490. That makes the Subaru Impreza the more affordable entry point by $15,410.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $53,790 and $36,839 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Impreza gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class stands out with Apple CarPlay and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Subaru Impreza. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Impreza offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class uses a Petrol producing 100kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza responds with a Petrol I4 Boxer making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Impreza has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 100kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class measures 4,419mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 71mm shorter than the Subaru Impreza at 4,490mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 370L in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and 291L in the Subaru Impreza, giving the Mercedes-Benz A-Class a 79L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,625/year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Estimated annual total: $1,625 (Mercedes-Benz A-Class) vs $2,138 (Subaru Impreza). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class saves you roughly $513 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz A-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Subaru Impreza trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest at $33,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by $15,410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Subaru Impreza all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the largest boot at 370L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Impreza makes the most power at 115kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
